Ag group holds fundraiser to benefit local businesswoman

Community helps farm store survive during tough times

September 3, 2012

McCLURE Three months after husband-and-wife team Jake and Paula Fisher opened Fisher's Farm Market, Jake passed away in a fatal car crash, leaving Paula to continue running their farm and new retail location alone.

Having lived with spina bifida since birth, a condition that involves incomplete development of the spinal cord, Paula was in charge of the marketing and financial aspects from her wheelchair while Jake worked the farm. Though Jake is no available to help, Paula is determined to continue as independently as possible while successfully operating Fisher's Farm Market, she said.

"Jake was the best in the world as far as I'm concerned," Fisher said. "My goal, as long as customers stick with me and my health stays good, is to continue carrying on our dream."

Article Photos

Sentinel photo by MATT STRICKERRachel Boreman, an associate at Fisher’s Farm Market, arranges sweet corn stacked among the cornucopia of vegetables available at the store, located near Wagner on U.S. 522.

In an effort to show community support, the members of the Local Ag Support Fund will hold a fundraiser on Sept. 13 to benefit Fisher. The organization is dedicated to setting up funds for agriculture-related incidences and those in need within the agricultural community, said Vicky Heimbach, co-treasurer for the Local Ag Support Fund.

"Jake used to help Paula get her wheelchair in and out of the car," Heimbach said. "To continue running the market and having booths at local farmers' markets, she will need a new car that has wheelchair lifts and makes it easier for her to get from place to place."

The Local Ag Support Fund will be making sandwiches for pick-up from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Memorial Building at Beaver Fairgrounds in Beaver Springs. Ham and cheese sandwiches and turkey and cheese sandwiches will be on sale for $3.50 each and must be pre-ordered. Heimbach will be accepting orders at (570) 539-8992 until Sept. 6.

"The community has been so full of support," Fisher said. "I suppose these hard things happen so you can overcome them and become stronger."

Fisher's Farm Market, located at 5726 U.S. 522 North, McClure, specializes in farm-fresh produce and meats as well as homemade baked goods. The store is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is closed today in observance of the holiday.